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Teachers across 25 countries gathered in Vienna to develop more effective education systems in Europe

21 September 2016

More than 150 educators and practitioners from 25 countries gathered in Vienna on September 19 and 20 to attend the International Summit for Educators organised jointly by JA Europe and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

Global trends effecting entrepreneurship education, making the teaching a more appealing job and how to empower young people and transform their skills into employability are some of the topics covered during the Summit trough panel debates and working groups. Participants also had the opportunity to network and be engaged in workshops where they shared their experience and took part in practical activities.

Key highlights:

“The resources are there, in our community: teachers, businesses, parents, etc. Everybody can contribute to foster young people’ entrepreneurial mind-set. Realising that and cultivating that is the most fruitful path to take.”Michael McShane, Adjunct fellow in Education Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute

“We are not talking only about education but also about fostering talents. Developing entrepreneurship competencies is a way to do so. We cannot miss that opportunity. (…) In our ministry, we share the mission of JA and we believe in the potential of young people.”Michal Denes, Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport from Slovak Republic

“ESP is a unique qualification. The most striking feedback is when students talk about the competences they acquired (risk taking, conflict management). After spending some time with business volunteers they completely change by becoming more confident.”Friederike Sozen, Senior Advisor, Department of Educational Policy, Entrepreneurship Education, Austrian Federal Economic Chamber

“Parents are aware of the skills gap and they know that schools may be not prepared to fulfil that gap in terms of methodologies needed. The ESP is a wonderful tool to close that gap. It is not enough to have business education. We need to go to a deeper level. We need a fully redesign of the curricula.” Eszter Salamon , President, European Parents Association

“Hearing the outcomes of this conference makes me optimist. In the Eurydice report we realise that all Member States have arrived to the conclusion that entrepreneurship education is something important, however none could completely solve the problem. It is vital to make everyone understand that entrepreneurship education is not only related to business but it is about preparing young people for life.” Denis Crowley, Head of Unit - Innovation in Education EIT and MSCA, DG Education, European Commission.

Thanks to all the people who participated and contributed to make the event a milestone in the discussion surrounding entrepreneurship education and the key role educators play!

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